Mr. George Walker Jenkins, one of the best known lawyers of Morristown
in former years, afterward as active in corporation matters in New York
City, died in Memorial Hospital, New York City, on January 19, 1922. He
had been out of health for some months, but went to the Hospital only a
few days before his death.
Mr. Jenkins was born November 7, 1848, at Catasauqua, Pa., his parents
being George and Hannah (Morgan) Jenkins, who were Welsh people and born
in Wales. After the usual early education he entered Yale College, from
which he was graduated in 1870. He studied law with Messrs. Parker &
Keasbey, in Newark, and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar at the
November Term, 1873, and became counselor at the February Term, 1880. He
began practice at Boonton, but later went to Morristown, where he soon
became one of the most active lawyers of the place. He had ability,
assiduity and exactness in office matters, being so exact in fact that
he became one of the most popular Special Masters of the Court of
Chancery to whom other members of the Bar referred their cases whenever
practicable. Taking early to politics he was soon prominent in the
Republican party, and was elected and served as a Member of the Assembly
during the years 1883, 1884 and 1885. He was also counsel to the Board
of Chosen Freeholders, and at one time served as Journal Clerk of the
New Jersey Senate. In 1886 he ran for State Senator for Morris county,
but was defeated by George T. Werts, who afterward became Governor.
About twenty-five years ago Mr. Jenkins, while not removing from
Morristown, went to New York City, and was engaged from then until
recently, when his health became impaired, in carrying on legal business
connected with various extensive corporation enterprises. He was
Vice-President and director of the Bridgeport (Conn.) Gun Implement Co.
and Remington Arms Co., director of the M. Hartley Co., Treasurer and
director of the Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Trustee of the Washington
Trust Co., etc., in all of which his legal knowledge was used with skill
and real ability. He owned a large and handsome residence in Morristown,
and also the Silver Lake Farms at Green Village. He was a member of the
Morristown Club, Morris County Golf Club and the University, Yale and
Union League Clubs of New York City.
Mr. Jenkins married Miss Helen Hartley, daughter of Marcellus Hartley,
of New York City, who, with one daughter and two grandchildren, survive
him. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Frances Greer, of New York City, died
about two years since; the surviving daughter is Mrs. Winter Mead, of
Sand Beach, Conn. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. A. L. Dennis, of
Plainfield, and by nieces. The interment was at Boonton.